Magnet schools offer specialized curricular themes that allow students to discover the scientist within them; learn through their passion for the arts; explore or begin a career in health science; and expand their horizons through an internationally recognized global education. Magnet schools also provide opportunities to integrate our learning environments.

Who can attend? How can I apply?

Enrollment in the magnet schools is open to all students living within the seven-member school districts of Osseo, Anoka-Hennepin, Brooklyn Center, Buffalo, ISD 728 Elk River Area, Fridley, and Rockford.

Neighborhoods are redefined when we talk about magnet schools. A magnet school neighborhood includes students from other communities who have the same interests. What you will learn and how you will learn it frames the neighborhood in which you choose to learn and grow. It may be filled with future artists or dancers, scientists or technicians, diplomats or Rhodes Scholars.

Visual and Performing Arts

Our award-winning arts magnet, Birch Grove Elementary School for the Arts, provides a strong academic core with opportunities for students to create at many levels. Teaching through the arts helps students experience concepts rather than merely discussing or reading about them. The study of the arts has been linked to students’ increased critical and creative thinking skills, self-esteem, willingness to take risks and ability to work with others.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

Weaver Lake Elementary: A Science, Math & Technology School, named one of the nation's Top Three Elementary STEM Schools in 2015, provides an environment where students, teachers and families find the scientists in themselves through simulation, exploration, and discovery. Weaver Lake students use advanced technologies to make observations, draw conclusions, and report results. Weaver Lake staff works with the Science Museum of Minnesota to offer quality instruction. According to a federal magnet school evaluator, “[Weaver Lake] students are being exposed to exceptional projects that are challenging and enlightening. They are getting great preparation in both math and science.”

Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM)

At Zanewood Community School: A Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math School, science, technology, engineering, arts and math concepts are woven throughout the entire curriculum at every grade level (including pre-kindergarten). We prepare our scholars to thrive in a world that requires critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, collaboration, and experiential learning.

Our staff is highly trained and qualified in STEAM content areas. Learning activities are carefully designed to reach your child’s learning style, to appeal to your child’s interests, to be inclusive of scholars’ cultures, and to provide just the right amount of academic challenge (and fun!) for your child at any grade level.

Students have access to (and instruction in the use of) real-life tools that support creativity and experiential learning. Partnerships with Boston Scientific and relationships with organizations like the Perpich Center for Arts Education and the Science Museum of Minnesota bring value-added experiences to our scholars, allowing them to learn from and have discussions with real-life scientists, engineers and artists.

Students who live outside Zanewood’s attendance area may enroll through an application process; the first priority deadline is December 31. Apply at www.nws.k12.mn.us. If your Zanewood scholar wants to continue the STEAM focus in Osseo Area Schools, you can apply for Brooklyn Middle School STEAM through the NWSISD magnet application.

Brooklyn Middle School offers a school-wide (gr. 6-8) STEAM model (STEM plus Arts) that provides a path for middle-level students in both of our district’s elementary magnet schools (Arts and STEM).

Key features of the STEAM program at Brooklyn Middle:

Students are engaged in inquiry-based learning experiences that use STEAM to solve problems;

Students have more opportunities for arts or engineering coursework through project-based learning;

Students are given authentic real-world experiences with STEAM coursework while practicing with scientists, engineers, mathematicians, musicians, artists and technical professionals;

Students participate in challenging and accelerated opportunities to demonstrate content mastery;

Students are involved in local, state and global projects that provide hands-on, minds-on learning opportunities.

Health Science

According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, health care is projected to be the largest and fastest-growing industry in the United States. By enrolling in the Health Science Magnet Program at Osseo Senior High, students can explore or advance their education and training to prepare for successful health care careers. Students can apply their learning in community settings by participating in the Opportunities in Emergency Care program or by earning nursing assistant clinical hours in local health care facilities. Outstanding course offerings combine rigor and relevance and allow students to demonstrate achievement in academic and technical knowledge, skills and abilities. Elective classes in Emergency Medical Responder, Nursing Assistant and Pharmacy Technician provide the opportunity for students to earn industry certification and college credit. Additional class options include Exploring Health Careers, Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Bioethics.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

The IB Diploma Program, for high school juniors and seniors, is an academically challenging and balanced program of education that prepares students for success at university and in life beyond. To be awarded the diploma, students must complete course work and exams in six areas including a second language, humanities, science, mathematics, and the arts. In addition to pursuing these subjects, all Diploma Program students complete a 4000-word extended essay and approximately 150 hours of creativity, activity, and service (CAS). IB Diploma (DP) students are highly regarded by colleges and universities because they:

know how to do independent research

have a demonstrated foreign language skill

contribute a global perspective to current events

have given back to their communities through volunteerism and community service

study the language, history and arts of diverse cultures, and approach problems from multiple perspectives

have above-average time management skills

and are exceedingly well-prepared for the rigour of college-level coursework

Several studies have concluded that, compared to their peers, IB students tend to go to college at higher rates, go to more selective colleges, and perform better once there. For example:

Former DP students are significantly more likely to attend a ‘selective’ or ‘highly selective’ institution compared to the average US college-goer.

Feedback collected from a wide range of IB graduates suggests that IB students have an easier time adjusting to post-secondary studies.

College admissions staff are familiar with the program and hold it in very high esteem compared to other qualifications.

An analysis of the recognition policies of the top universities in the US reveals that most of these institutions grant credit or advanced standing for high performance in DP courses. For example, IB Diploma recipients admitted to the University of Wisconsin may earn up to 28 credits based on their exam scores.